Newfoundland dogs - their stories told in fact and fiction
He is not trained to be noble and loyal - it is just part of his nature.
And few dog breeds can equal the Newfoundland for courage.
From the sinking of the Titanic to rescuing Napoleon, to heroism and death in the face of modern warfare; to the classic stories of Peter Pan and Jane Eyre.
For over two centuries the Newfoundland's heroic deeds have been immortalised in both fact and fiction.
Some of those deeds are amazing.
Pic: The 'please take me with you' eyes of a Newfoundland puppy - Courtesy Newflands Stud, NZ (see link below), Photo: Unicorn images, NZ.
Lovable Newfoundland pups
Courtesy of Newflands, NZ [newflands@ihug.co.nz]. Photo by Unicorn Images, NZ
Both fact and fiction: NANA and LUATH
Few animals, save for BLACK BEAUTY and LASSIE, have appeared more often in print or on the silver screen than Newfoundlands.NANA in 'Peter Pan' was the Newfoundland who was cast as nanny to the Darling children. The dog's name has been known by generations of adults and children.
It was not difficult for JM Barrie, author of 'The Boy Castaways' and the stageplay, 'Peter Pan', to imagine a dolice and kindly large black and white dog caring for his charges. His own dog, LUATH, was a black and white Landseer.
Barrie wrote: "I must have sat at table with that great dog waiting for me to stop, not complaining, for he knew it was thus we made our living, but giving me a look when he found he was to be in the play, with his sex changed.".
In most stage versions of the play, the part of NANA was performed by an actor dressed in a large fluffy dog suit but the role was based on LUATH, the writer's pet.
For over 100 years, the Newfoundland nanny, NANA and the boy who never grew up, Peter Pan, have given pleasure to countless children (and adults) around the world.
On one occasion JM Barrie commented: "At one matinee we even let him, for a moment, take the place of the actor who played NANA, and I don't know that any members of the audience ever noticed the change, though he (the dog) introduced some 'business' that was new to them and old to you and me. Heigh Ho!"
Pic: Michael Darling on Nana - http://www.allposters.com
Author - JM Barrie's Newfoundland
LUATH, author JM Barrie's own Newfoundland, was his inspiration for Nana in 'Peter Pan'. It was a black and white Landseer.Pictures of Barrie and his dog are held by the Great Ormand Street Hospital.
When he died, Barrie bequeathed 'Peter Pan' to the Hospital and 100 years later royalties from books, films and stage shows, still flow in providing much needed revenue to the Children's Hospital.
And with the continued popularity of 'Peter Pan', it is likely these funds will continue for many generations to come.
Pic: A Newfoundland pup courtesy of Newflands, NZ [newflands@ihug.co.nz]. Photo: Unicorn Images, NZ
How can you resist those eyes?
Courtesy of Newflands, NZ [newflands@ihug.co.nz] Photo by Unicorn Images NZ
In a classic fiction book: PILOT and Jane Eyre
Newfoundlands dogs have had cameo roles in several other famous books, Charlotte Bronte introduced a Newfoundland as the companion of Mr Rochester in her classic novel 'Jane Eyre'.The dog's name was PILOT. In the story it is decribed as: a great dog, whose black and white colour made him a distinct object against the trees - a lion like creature with long hair and a huge head.'
Bursting from the bushes Jane was at first alarmed by the dog's sudden appearance.
Later in the story she realised how faithful and docile PILOT was.
Pic: The Newfoundland in 'Jane Eyre' was black and white and similar to 'Fleur' pictured here.
Courtesy of Newflands, NZ [newflands@ihug.co.nz]. Photo by Unicorn Images, NZ
Please read me another story
Courtesy of Newflands, NZ [newflands@ihug.co.nz] Photo by Unicorn Images NZ Fleur, Lace and Abbey
Newflands Newfies - Tuakau, NZ
Email : newflands@ihug.co.nz
Web : http://www.newflands.co.nz
Photo: Unicorn Images, NZ
A true story - BOATSWAIN - Lord Byron's faithful companion
No other Newfoundland's name has been so indelibly etched in history
Two hundred years ago the poet, Lord Byron, erected a tombstone in the grounds of his home, Newstead Abbey, in memory of his Newfoundland;The opening lines of the inscription reads:
BEAUTY WITHOUT VANITY,
STRENGTH WITHOUT ISOLENCE,
COURAGE WITHOUT FEROCITY,
AND ALL THE VIRTUES OF MAN WITHOUT HIS VICES
BOATSWAIN was a black and white dog with some hunsky-like features, which born in Newfoundland in 1803 and brought to England to become the poet's favourite companion and it is said that Lord Byron would take a boat out on his lake and once in deep water, would tip the boat and throw himself into the water. Whenever this occurred, BOATSWAIN would seize his master by the collar and drag him to shore.
Lord Byron was rather eccentric man kept a menagerie of animals including a bear, but his other Newfoundland, THUNDER was less bold when facing the large beast.
BOATSWAIN bravery led him into a fight with a mongrel infected with rabies. The bite was fatal and BOATSWAIN succumbed to the dreadful disease.
But BOATSWAIN's line was to continue and it is recorded that when Lord Byron died his remains were returned from Greece and on the voyage his body was accompanied by a black and white Newfoundland - a direct descendant of the bard's faourite pet.
Pic: the famous dedication engraved on a tombstone in 1808.
Most remarkable story: SGT Gander - a real life hero
The heartwrenching story of a Newfoundland's courage is that of SGT. GANDER, the mascot of the Royal Rifles of Cananda.
Originally the pet of one of the soldiers the Newfoundland regularly visited the barracks to such an extent that they requested he become their mascot.
When they were posted to Hong Kong Island, GANDER accompanied them and during the fighting there were several instances where the Newfoundland's bravery was recorded.
Sadly his final act was his last. When a grenade was hurled at the battalion, GANDER retrieved it and carried away in his mouth and in doing so the granade exploded killing him instantly.
In 2000, fourty-nine years after this event, this courageous Newfoundland was honoured with the Dickin Medal awarded by the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals
Courtesy of Newflands at: http://www.newflands.co.nz: Email: newflands@ihug.co.nz
Photo: Unicorn Images, NZ
SGT. GANDER receives Medal for Gallantry
For saving the lives of Canadian Infantrymen during the Battle of Lye Mun on Hong Kong Island in December 1941.
On three documented occasions "Gander" the Newfoundland mascot of the Royal Rifles of Canada engaged the enemy as his regiment joined the Winnipeg Grenadiers, members of Battalion Headquarters "C" Force and other Commonwealth troops in their courageous defence of the Island.
Twice "Gander's" attacks halted the enemy's advance and protected groups of wounded soldiers.
In a final act of bravery the war dog was killed in action gathering a grenade. Without "Gander's" intervention many more lives would have been lost in the assault.
Born to be a gentle giant
Courtesy of Newflands, NZ [newflands@ihug.co.nz] Photo by Unicorn Images NZ
The face in the window
The doleful eyes of Ishmael, owned by author Karen Mercury in Califormia. You can read about Ishi and about Karen and her books by clicking on the link further down this page.
Having webbed feet, Newfoundlands are the strongest of all dogs in the water
A Newfoundalnd dog having recued a child.
By Edwin Henry Landseer (1802-1873)
Landseer's name became synonymous with the black and white or mixed colour Newfoundlands though some believe that the Lanseer is in fact a different breed.
Fact - Newfoundland Dog hero of SS Ethie shipwreck
On a stormy night in December 1919 the SS Ethie foundered on rocks.The local paper reported:
"A line was fired from the ship, but got caught up amongst the boulders, so the people of Martin Point sent out one of their dogs, a very sagacious animal , to bring it ashore."
It is said that the well trianed water dog dashed into the water and swam for the line. Grabbing it in his teeth he struggled back to shore thereby saving the lives of over 90 passenger and crew on board.
Pic: Newfoundlands are born swimmers like this pub from Newflands Stud.
Courtesy of Newflands, NZ [newflands@ihug.co.nz] Photo by Unicorn Images NZ
A true story: HAIRYMAN and Ann Harvey and the wreck of the Dispatch
HAIRY MAN is perhaps an unimaginative name for a noble dog but this Newfoundland and his 17 year old mistress, Ann Harvey were responsible for saving the lives of 163 Irish immigrants from the wreck of the Brig Dispatch in 1828. When fishing with her fathernear the Isle aux Morts, Newfoundland, Ann noticed flotsom on the water and realized a ship had been wrecked nearby.They immediatley set off with their Newfoundland dog, HAIRYMAN and soon found a group of survivors huddled together on a tiny island later known as Wreck Rock. Already some unlucky passengers from the SS Dispatch had drowned or died from exhaustion.
Unable to get close enough to the island because of the heavy seas, they threw a billet of wood to which the survivors attached a rope.
George then instructed the Newfoundland to swim out to retrieve it. By this means all the passengers were taken off the rocky outcrop.
Some survivors died on the rock and ten more expired on land after their dramatic rescue. The crashing waves swept babies from their mother's arms. But over a three-day period more than 180 people were saved by Ann, George and their brave Newfoundland.
Pic: Courtesy of Newflands, NZ [newflands@ihug.co.nz]
Photo: Unicorn Images NZ
A questionable story - RIGEL and the sinking of the TITANIC
Several movies have been made over the years recounting the sinking of the Titanic on 21 April 1912. Few of the movies depited the dogs which were included on the ship's manifest. There were several of various breeds and all but two perished.Christine Jamesson, a Titanic researcher, published the allegedly factual story, 'The Legend of Rigel' about a Newfoundland - the pet of the First Mate.
On the fateful night when the 'unsinkable' ship sailing on its maiden voyage hit an iceberg more than 1500 souls perished.
Had it not been for the response of the SS Carpathia even those who had managed to find a seat in a lifeboat would have also died of exposure to the cold.
Too weak to cry out a warning and with no light signal their predicament, one of the lifeboats was almost run down by the rescue ship.
But in the water beside the boat was RIGEL, the Newfoundland, who for 3 hours had been swimming around in the icy water presumably looking for his master.
As the Carpathia steamed towards them the dog's bark was heard by the captain attracting the crew to the plight of the survivors.
All on board the lifeboat were saved and RIGEL, wet but still warm was pulled from the water. Once safely on board, one of the seamen took RIGEL to his cabin and became the Newfoundland's new master.
Whether this story is fact or fiction is yet to be established.
But it is a recorded fact, that the body of one woman was found in the water clinging to a large dog, probably a Newfoundland. Both had succumbed to the elements.
Pic: NZ Champion Miquelon Cinnamon Gold - 'Lace' is a real show girl and thoroughly enjoys the show ring and being the centre of attention.Lace is a wonderful girl who has other aspects to her life as well as the show ring and is often sort by the children when they require some attention from a non human source.
Courtesy of Newflands, NZ [newflands@ihug.co.nz] Photo by Unicorn Images NZ
Ishmael - at home in sunny California
Courtesy of author Karen Mercury see link below.
Fact (?) - Napoleon Bonaparte saved by a Newfoundland
It has been written that when Napoleon Bonaparte escaped from the Isle of Elba he fell overboard into the Mediterranean Sea.Had it not been for the Newfoundland dog which rescued him he may have drowned.
If you know anything more about this story, please let me know.
Fleur from Newflands Stud NZ - see link below (Pic - Unicorn images NZ)
Bella and Byron - a pair of brave Newfies feature in a new book - out now!
THE CONDOR'S FEATHER is a dramatic historical adventure story in which a pair of Newfoundland dogs accompany their mistress as she ventures across the Pampas of Patagonia.The pair of brave and loyal dogs are names after Lord Byron and his wife.
THE CONDOR'S FEATHER has just been released (July 2009).
To order at a BIG discount price and with FREE WORLDWIDE DELIVERY go to:
THE BOOK DEPOSITORY.
UK buyers can order postage free from www.Halebooks.com
US buyers can order via Amazon.com
Book cover artist : Michael Thomas
Read more about THE CONDOR'S FEATHER below.
My Web and Blog and links to breeders on this site
- Margaret Muir's Blog
- A bit of all sorts and regularly updated.
- Margaret Muir's website
- My Website - mainly about my books.
- Website for author Karen Mercury
- American author who loves her Newfoundland - read about her books and see more pics.
- Newflands Newfoundland Stud, NZ
- We have been involved with the breed since 1994 when we researched the breed and decided to purchase our first girl Pip otherwise known as New Zealand Champion Planhaven Dancer 1995.
Pip made such an impression on us that we then went on to become breeders. We breed especially for temperament,health and longevity of this gentle giant.
Contact [newflands@ihug.co.nz] Photos by Unicorn Images NZ
OUT NOW! - The latest story featuring Newfoundlands - THE CONDOR'S FEATHER
When a group of mismatched English aristocrats embark on a voyage to South America, they do not realise what is in store for them.Beset by Pampas winds, Indians, inhospitable terrain, mountain lions and escaped convicts, they must battle to survive their treck across the Pampas of Patagonia.
Travelling with them are two Newfoundland dogs - Bella and Byron.
Share their joy and pain and find out what happens at the tail end of the world.
THE CONDOR'S FEATHER is OUT NOW (July 2009).
To order at a BIG discount price and with FREE WORLDWIDE DELIVERY go to:
THE BOOK DEPOSITORY.
UK buyers can order postage free from the publisher www.Halebooks.com
For more about the story behind the writing of the book go to 'The Condor Feather' Squidoo page on the link below
My historical novels
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'Sea Dust' - dramatic story set on a tall ship
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In order to escape the clutches of a drunken husband, Emma stows away on a sailing ship bound for Australia. Despite the help of a French sailor, nothing can protect her from the diabolical evil which lurks on board. Set in 1856 in Whitby, Cape Town...
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The Twisting Vine - historical novel and hints on writing a book
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THE TWISTING VINE is a saga set in Yorkshire in 1898 where times of peace and war, grief and joy are linked by the unobtrusive presence of a French Bru doll. If you have an interest in Antique French Fashion dolls or just enjoy a fast moving sto...
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The Black Thread by Margaret Muir - canal story set 1895
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British canals are steeped in history. Having been superceded by the railways in the late 1800s they fell into disrepair. But today they are modern and attractive and offer a popular and relaxing form of travel. The Black Thread, is my third no...
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The Condor's Feather - the pampas of Patagonia on horseback
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Mobs of wild horses, pampas winds, Tehuelche Indians, and mountain lions are just a few of the problems awaiting this unsuspecting group of English riders. Add to that four escaped convicts whose diabolical deeds defy comprehension..... It's said...
The magic of TALL SHIPS and AMBERGRIS
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Sailing the Atlantic on a Tall Ship
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What a voyage! - Join me as I sail across the North Atlantic following in the wake of the great adventurer's. Pass the Pillars of Hercules. See the house Columbus lived in. Meet King Neptune. Face gale force winds. Take the helm....
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TALL SHIPS - 'Mary Rose' & 'Victory' to the modern day
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When I visited the Royal Naval Dockyards in Portsmouth I was blown to pieces by the tall (historic) ships I visited. Imagine walking the decks on Nelson's 'Victory' and standing at the very spot on the deck where he fell!! Imagine step...
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AMBERGRIS aka Floating Gold
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AMBERGRIS is created from the vomit of a sick whale. It is virtually unprocurable and usually discovered accidentally. It has been washed up on beaches since whales first swam in the sea. And ambergris is worth a fortune. It was given the name,...
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SAIL ON A TALL SHIP - live the adventure
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It was a voyage to remember. I joined the replica LADY NELSON as she headed out into the notorious Bass Strait then sailed south to meet four meter swells on Storm Bay. In 1800 the original wooden colonial brig, was the first vessel to sail Bass Stra...
The Gentleman Bushranger - Matthew Brady
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Matthew Brady - Tasmania's 'gentleman' bushranger
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Matthew Brady was just 20 when he was transported to Van Diemen's Land. Six years later he was hung from the gallows in Hobart Town. But what was it about Brady which endeared women to him so much that his trial had to be interrupted because of th...
Join me on my travels around the world
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Italy, Greek Islands, French Riviera - Cruising the Med
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Join me on a cruise ship sailing around the Mediterranean. Starting with the sights and sounds of Rome, to Florence and Pisa. The French Riviera. Monaco. Scicily then on to the Greek Islands - Santorini, Mykanos. Travelling by cruishe ship is a great...
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VISIT MY TASMANIA - the island of inspiration
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Two years ago I visited Tasmania for a holiday and fell in love with the place. Two months later I came back to stay. Not only is it a beautiful island, with huge wilderness areas, spectacular scenery and the cleanest air in the world (true), but it...
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Antarctica - Tierra del Fuego to the Antarctic Peninsula
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It's a blue and white world at the bottom of the globe. And its cold! I was fortunate enough to cruise around a little of it recently, my voyage starting in Valpariso, Chile - sailing down the Chilean Fjords to Tierra del Fuego, across Drake Pass...
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Go Cruising - Pacific Ocean to Caribbean via Panama Canal
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On 23rd April, 2008, I sailed through the Panama Canal from the Pacific Ocean to the Atalntic. It was on a voyage from Santaigo in, Chile, South America to Boston, USA on the cruise ship, Norwegian Dream. As I had written a book set on the Leeds/Live...
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Buenos Aires, Argentina - the tango, the pampas and much more
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A city of seduction. The tango - danced originally by men. The steaks - dinasaur size. The places to visit - unforgettable. The people - past and present. And plenty of pics. THE CONDOR'S FEATHER - an equestrian adventure set in Southern Patagonia in 1885....
GOATS - all varieties and KIDS - at Writers Camp
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Goats - angoras, Boers, cashmeres, dairys and even ferals
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I ran goats of one variety or another for 17 years during which time I wrote numerous magazine articles about them, including many which appeared in the New Zealand 'Goat Farmer' magazine. ANGORAS, BOERS, CASHMERES, DAIRYS and even FE...
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Writers' Camp - in the far south wilderness
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Tasmania is called the 'Island of Inspiration' and what better place to hold a writers' camp than in the south west wilderness forest on the banks of the Esperance River where the only ripples are created by the salmon jumping. It wa...
Old and unusual railways - Abt, funicular, cable and chain
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Funicular, Abt, chain ferry, cable cars and other unusual railways
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Funicular railways date back to 1515 but were most popular in late 1800s. The Abt rack and pinion railway system was built to combat very steep inclines. The underwater Chain ferry pulled a vehicular ferry across a river. Around the world...
If you love Newfoundlands you might like to leave a comment
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Reply
- throughglasseyes throughglasseyes Oct 15, 2009 @ 3:03 pm
- Thanks for your comment, Bill.
I've always admired Newfoundlands but never had one.
My last dog was a bouncy Golden Retriever.
MM
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Reply
- BILL ROWE @ bilinrowe @aol com BILL ROWE @ bilinrowe @aol com Oct 15, 2009 @ 8:38 am
- yes nfld's are amazing dogs .I'm a former owner and breeder and orginally from nfld
There are many legends and stories passed down over the years, some can be questioned but the courage ,strength, beauty and all the other virtues of this breed
...go unquestioned. Thanks for the great info.
by throughglasseyes
Hi, my name's Margaret Muir. I'm an author and I live in Tasmania (Au). I enjoy writing and have had four novels published. I also love tall ships and...
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